Sopoaga: Cooperation is all Eagles need to succeed

Monday, August 19, 2013

By BOB GROTZbgrotz@21st-centurymedia.com

PHILADELPHIA — Isaac Sopoaga thinks leadership is overrated.

The 330-pound nose tackle from Pago Pago, the capital of American Samoa, makes a pretty compelling argument when he’s not clowning around spelling out the Eagles cheer or watching Rocky movie reruns, particularly “Rocky IV” (the idea of good triumphing over evil against all odds on the road almost tears him up).

Eleven players sacrificing to be one, that’s where Sopoaga is coming from.

“I am not trying to be like a leader,” Sopoaga said. “I’m just looking after my guys. I’m just being about taking care of my guys because I want to win and of course my guys want to win, our coach wants to win and our team wants to win. So that’s what I’m doing.

“If all 11 guys work together one play at a time, it will be something sweet.”

With Sopoaga in the middle, the San Francisco 49ers worked it one play at a time while the offense did its thing all the way to Super Bowl XLVII. The season ended in a crushing 34-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in New Orleans.

The 49ers couldn’t keep everyone from that team, and Sopoaga was a natural fit for the Eagles, who are transitioning to a 3-4 defense.

Former Niners personnel executive Tommy Gamble, now with the Eagles, also pushed for defensive lineman Ricky Jean Francois, who signed with the Indianapolis Colts.

“It wasn’t really tough to leave San Francisco because you have to work,” said Sopoaga, who got a three-year, $11 million contract with $3.75 million guaranteed from the Eagles. “You have to take care of your family. You have to find a job. This was perfect.”

Sopoaga speaks English slowly but clearly. He validates his words with a smile so broad and powerful you’re glad you asked him the right question.

Sopoaga won’t back down from his guarantee that the Eagles would “shock” the football world this season.

“We will see,” Sopoaga said. “There is no doubt in my mind.”

The Eagles want the 31-year-old Sopoaga to take on double-teams and keep the linebackers free to make tackles. Any pass rush is a bonus, although Soap, as he’s nicknamed, sacked Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during the playoffs.

Sopoaga was concerned when the Eagles started sluggishly in the preseason opener against the New England Patriots, allowing four touchdowns. He was elated when the defense gave up just three field goals in the second preseason contest, a 14-9 triumph over the Carolina Panthers. Sopoaga doesn’t think his teammates were motivated by Cary Williams’ assessment that no team feared the Eagles’ defense.

“No, I don’t know anything about that area,” Sopoaga said. “Myself and my area, that’s all I’m concerned about. The only answer to that is it hurts when you lose. The first game we didn’t make it so we had to come back and make it happen, have fun.”

Fun would be an apropos nickname for Sopoaga. Before games he warms up throwing the football to teammates. And it’s not just a fun game of catch but a brand of extreme long-toss.

“When we went down to San Diego three years ago I threw it 78 yards. Without a step,” said Sopoaga, who figures he can lengthen it to 80 or 85 yards with a running start. “Growing up from Pago Pago big kids like me, we all want to be like Joe Montana, Troy Aikman, Michael Vick. But you know hey, a big guy always ends up playing D-line, or always ends up playing linebacker.”

Competitive as Sopoaga is, challenging one of the Eagles quarterbacks to a little long toss isn’t his idea of professionalism.

“I don’t disrespect my quarterback,” Sopoaga said. “Maybe one day I would love to compete against Michael or these guys. Those guys are really fun to hang out with.”

The energy brought by Eagles fans, on the other hand, is right up Sopoaga’s alley. Philadelphia and Seattle are his favorite venues because of the fans.